Chapter 37, 182 verses
I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By those (angels) ranged in ranks (or rows).
Then those who drive away with reproof,
By those (angels) who drive the clouds in a good way.
Then those who recite, being mindful,
By those (angels) who bring the Book and the Qur'an from Allah to mankind [Tafsir Ibn Kathir].
Most surely your Allah is One:
Verily your Ilah (God) is indeed One (i.e. Allah):
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and Lord of the easts.
Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is between them, and Lord of every point of the sun's risings.
Surely We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment, the stars,
Verily We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty).
And (there is) a safeguard against every rebellious Shaitan.
And to guard against every rebellious devil.
They cannot listen to the exalted assembly and they are thrown at from every side,
They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side.
Being driven off, and for them is a perpetual chastisement,
Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment.
Except him who snatches off but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame.
Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.
Then ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm clay.
Then ask them (i.e. these polytheists, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Are they stronger as creation, or those (others like the heavens and the earth and the mountains) whom We have created?" Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.
Nay! you wonder while they mock,
Nay, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) wondered (at their insolence) while they mock (at you and at the Qur'an).
And when they are reminded, they mind not,
And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.
And when they see a sign they incite one another to scoff,
And when they see an Ayah (a sign, or an evidence) from Allah, they mock at it.
And they say: This is nothing but clear magic:
And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!
What! when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then certainly be raised,
"When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we (then) verily be resurrected?
Or our fathers of yore?
"And also our fathers of old?"
Say: Aye! and you shall be abject.
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated."
So it shall only be a single cry, when lo! they shall see.
It will be a single Zajrah [shout (i.e. the second blowing of the Trumpet)], and behold, they will be staring!
And they shall say: O woe to us! this is the day of requital.
They will say: "Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense!"
This is the day of the judgment which you called a lie.
(It will be said): "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."
Gather together those who were unjust and their associates, and what they used to worship
(It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship,
Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell.
"Instead of Allah, and lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell);
And stop them, for they shall be questioned:
"But stop them, verily they are to be questioned.
What is the matter with you that you do not help each other?
"What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to do in the world)?"
Nay! on that day they shall be submissive.
Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.
And some of them shall advance towards others, questioning each other.
And they will turn to one another and question one another.
They shall say: Surely you used to come to us from the right side.
They will say: "It was you who used to come to us from the right side [i.e. from the right side of one of us and beautify for us every evil, enjoin on us polytheism, and stop us from the truth i.e. Islamic Monotheism and from every good deed]."
They shall say: Nay, you (yourselves) were not believers;
They will reply: "Nay, you yourselves were not believers.
And we had no authority over you, but you were an inordinate people;
"And we had no authority over you. Nay! But you were Taghun (transgressing) people (polytheists, and disbelievers).
So the sentence of our Lord has come to pass against us: (now) we shall surely taste;
"So now the Word of our Lord has been justified against us, that we shall certainly (have to) taste (the torment).
So we led you astray, for we ourselves were erring.
"So we led you astray because we were ourselves astray."
So they shall on that day be sharers in the chastisement one with another.
Then verily, that Day, they will (all) share in the torment.
Surely thus do We deal with the guilty.
Certainly, that is how We deal with Al-Mujrimun (polytheists, sinners, disbelievers, criminals, the disobedient to Allah).
Surely they used to behave proudly when it was said to them: There is no god but Allah;
Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha illallah "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)," they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).
And to say: What! shall we indeed give up our gods for the sake of a mad poet?
And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our alihah (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?"
Nay: he has come with the truth and verified the apostles.
Nay! he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has come with the truth (i.e. Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism and this Qur'an) and he confirms the Messengers (before him who brought Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism).
Most surely you will taste the painful punishment.
Verily, you (pagans of Makkah) are going to taste the painful torment;
And you shall not be rewarded except (for) what you did.
And you will be requited nothing except for what you used to do (evil deeds, sins, and Allah's disobedience which you used to do in this world)
Save the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
Save the chosen slaves of Allah (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism).
For them is a known sustenance,
For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise),
Fruits, and they shall be highly honored,
Fruits; and they shall be honoured,
In gardens of pleasure,
In the Gardens of delight (Paradise),
On thrones, facing each other.
Facing one another on thrones.
A bowl shall be made to go round them from water running out of springs,
Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine -
White, delicious to those who drink.
White, delicious to the drinkers.
There shall be no trouble in it, nor shall they be exhausted therewith.
Neither will they have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.
And with them shall be those who restrain the eyes, having beautiful eyes;
And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives), restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], with wide and beautiful eyes.
As if they were eggs carefully protected.
(Delicate and pure) as if they were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved.
Then shall some of them advance to others, questioning each other.
Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning.
A speaker from among them shall say: Surely I had a comrade of mine,
A speaker of them will say: "Verily, I had a companion (in the world),
Who said: What! are you indeed of those who accept (the truth)?
Who used to say: "Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death).
What! when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then be certainly brought to judgment?
"(That) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?"
He shall say: Will you look on?
(The speaker) said: "Will you look down?"
Then he looked down and saw him in the midst of hell.
So he looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.
He shall say: By Allah! you had almost caused me to perish;
He said: "By Allah! You have nearly ruined me.
And had it not been for the favor of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought up.
"Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell)."
Is it then that we are not going to die,
(The dwellers of Paradise will say) "Are we then not to die (any more)?
Except our previous death? And we shall not be chastised?
Except our first death, and we shall not be punished? (after we have entered Paradise)."
Most surely this is the mighty achievement.
Truly, this is the supreme success!
For the like of this then let the workers work.
For the like of this let the workers work.
Is this better as an entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?
Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)?
Surely We have made it to be a trial to the unjust.
Truly We have made it (as) a trail for the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers, wrong-doers).
Surely it is a tree that - grows in the bottom of the hell;
Verily, it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire,
Its produce is as it were the heads of the serpents.
The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of Shayatin (devils);
Then most surely they shall eat of it and fill (their) bellies with it.
Truly, they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.
Then most surely they shall have after it to drink of a mixture prepared in boiling water.
Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies).
Then most surely their return shall be to hell.
Then thereafter, verily, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell.
Surely they found their fathers going astray,
Verily, they found their fathers on the wrong path;
So in their footsteps they are being hastened on.
So they (too) hastened in their footsteps!
And certainly most of the ancients went astray before them,
And indeed most of the men of old went astray before them;
And certainly We sent among them warners.
And indeed We sent among them warners (Messengers);
Then see how was the end of those warned,
Then see what was the end of those who were warned (but heeded not).
Except the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
Except the chosen slaves of Allah (faithful, obedient, and true believers of Islamic Monotheism).
And Nuh did certainly call upon Us, and most excellent answerer of prayer are We.
And indeed Nuh (Noah) invoked Us, and We are the Best of those who answer (the request).
And We delivered him and his followers from the mighty distress.
And We rescued him and his family from the great distress (i.e. drowning),
And We made his offspring the survivors.
And, his progeny, them We made the survivors (i.e. Shem, Ham and Japheth).
And We perpetuated to him (praise) among the later generations.
And left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations:
Peace and salutation to Nuh among the nations.
"Salam (peace) be upon Nuh (Noah) (from Us) among the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!"
Thus do We surely reward the doers of good.
Verily, thus We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).
Surely he was of Our believing servants.
Verily, he [Nuh (Noah)] was one of Our believing slaves.
Then We drowned the others
Then We drowned the others (disbelievers and polytheists).
And most surely Ibrahim followed his way.
And, verily, among those who followed his [Nuh's (Noah)] way (Islamic Monotheism) was Ibrahim (Abraham).
When he came to his Lord with a free heart,
When he came to his Lord with a pure heart [attached to Allah Alone and none else, worshipping none but Allah Alone - true Islamic Monotheism, pure from the filth of polytheism].
When he said to his father and his people: What is it that you worship?
When he said to his father and to his people: "What is it that which you worship?
A lie - - gods besides Allah - - do you desire?
"Is it a falsehood - alihah (gods) other than Allah - that you desire?
What is then your idea about the Lord of the worlds?
"Then what think you about the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)?"
Then he looked at the stars, looking up once,
Then he cast a glance at the stars,
Then he said: Surely I am sick (of your worshipping these).
And he said: "Verily, I am sick (with plague). [He did this trick to remain in their temple of idols to destroy them and not to accompany them to the pagan feast)]."
So they went away from him, turning back.
So they turned away from him, and departed (for fear of the disease).
Then he turned aside to their gods secretly and said: What! do you not eat?
Then he turned to their alihah (gods) and said: "Will you not eat (of the offering before you)?
What is the matter with you that you do not speak?
"What is the matter with you that you speak not?"
Then he turned against them secretly, smiting them with the right hand.
Then he turned upon them, striking (them) with (his) right hand.
So they (people) advanced towards him, hastening.
Then they (the worshippers of idols) came, towards him, hastening.
Said he: What! do you worship what you hew out?
He said: "Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?
And Allah has created you and what you make.
"While Allah has created you and what you make!"
They said: Build for him a furnace, then cast him into the burning fire.
They said: "Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!"
And they desired a war against him, but We brought them low.
So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.
And he said: Surely I fly to my lord; He will guide me.
And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!"
My Lord! grant me of the doers of good deeds.
"My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous."
So We gave him the good news of a boy, possessing forbearance.
So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.
And when he attained to working with him, he said: O my son! surely I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father! do what you are commanded; if Allah please, you will find me of the patient ones.
And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of As-Sabirun (the patient)."
So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead,
Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);
And We called out to him saying: O Ibrahim!
We called out to him: "O Abraham!
You have indeed shown the truth of the vision; surely thus do We reward the doers of good:
You have fulfilled the dream!" Verily thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See 2:112).
Most surely this is a manifest trial.
Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.
And We ransomed him with a Feat sacrifice.
And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. كبش - a ram);
And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations.
And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.
Peace be on Ibrahim.
"Salam (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!"
Thus do We reward the doers of good.
Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).
Surely he was one of Our believing servants.
Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.
And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet among the good ones.
And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaq (Isaac) - a Prophet from the righteous.
And We showered Our blessings on him and on Ishaq; and of their offspring are the doers of good, and (also) those who are clearly unjust to their own souls.
We blessed him and Ishaq (Isaac). And of their progeny are (some) that do right, and some that plainly wrong themselves.
And certainly We conferred a favor on Musa and Haroun.
And, indeed We gave Our Grace to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).
And We delivered them both and their people from the mighty distress.
And We saved them and their people from the great distress,
And We helped them, so they were the vanquishers.
And helped them, so that they became the victors;
And We gave them both the Book that made (things) clear.
And We gave them the clear Scripture;
And We guided them both on the right way.
And guided them to the Right Path.
And We perpetuated (praise) to them among the later generations.
And We left for them (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.
Peace be on Musa and Haroun.
"Salam (peace) be upon Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)!"
Even thus do We reward the doers of good.
Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).
Surely they were both of Our believing servants.
Verily, they were two of Our believing slaves.
And Ilyas was most surely of the apostles.
And verily, Iliyas (Elias) was one of the Messengers.
When he said to his people: Do you not guard (against evil)?
When he said to his people: "Will you not fear Allah?
What! do you call upon Ba'l and forsake the best of the creators,
"Will you call upon Ba'l (a well known idol of his nation whom they used to worship) and forsake the Best of creators,
Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore?
"Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?"
But they called him a liar, therefore they shall most surely be brought up.
But they denied him [Iliyas (Elias)], so they will certainly be brought forth (to the punishment),
But not the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
Except the chosen slaves of Allah.
And We perpetuated to him (praise) among the later generations.
And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.
Peace be on Ilyas.
"Salam (peace) be upon Ilyasin (Elias)!"
Even thus do We reward the doers of good.
Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers, who perform good deeds totally for Allah's sake only - See V.2:112).
Surely he was one of Our believing servants.
Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.
And Lut was most surely of the apostles.
And verily, Lut (Lot) was one of the Messengers.
When We delivered him and his followers, all - -
When We saved him and his family, all,
Except an old woman (who was) amongst those who tarried.
Except an old woman (his wife) who was among those who remained behind.
Then We destroyed the others.
Then We destroyed the rest (the town of Sodom at the place of the Dead Sea now in Palestine).
And most surely you pass by them in the morning,
Verily, you pass by them in the morning
And at night; do you not then understand?
And at night; will you not then reflect?
And Yunus was most surely of the apostles.
And, verily, Yunus (Jonah) was one of the Messengers.
When he ran away to a ship completely laden,
When he ran to the laden ship:
So he shared (with them), but was of those who are cast off.
Then he (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers.
So the fish swallowed him while he did that for which he blamed himself
Then a (big) fish swallowed him as he had done an act worthy of blame.
But had it not been that he was of those who glorify (Us),
Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,
He would certainly have tarried in its belly to the day when they are raised.
He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.
Then We cast him on to the vacant surface of the earth while he was sick.
But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick,
And We caused to grow up for him a gourdplant.
And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.
And We sent him to a hundred thousand, rather they exceeded.
And We sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more.
And they believed, so We gave them provision till a time.
And they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.
Then ask them whether your Lord has daughters and they have sons.
Now ask them (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Are there (only) daughters for your Lord and sons for them?"
Or did We create the angels females while they were witnesses?
Or did We create the angels female while they were witnesses?
Now surely it is of their own lie that they say:
Verily, it is of their falsehood that they (Quraish pagans) say:
Allah has begotten; and most surely they are liars.
"Allah has begotten [offspring - the angels being the daughters of Allah)?" And, verily, they are liars!
Has He chosen daughters in preference to sons?
Has He (then) chosen daughters rather than sons?
What is the matter with you, how is it that you judge?
What is the matter with you? How do you decide?
Will you not then mind?
Will you not then remember?
Or have you a clear authority?
Or is there for you a plain authority?
Then bring your book, if you are truthful.
Then bring your Book if you are truthful!
And they assert a relationship between Him and the jinn; and certainly the jinn do know that they shall surely be brought up;
And they have invented a kinship between Him and the jinn, but the jinn know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e. they will be called to account).
Glory be to Allah (for freedom) from what they describe;
Glorified be Allah! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!
But not so the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
Except the slaves of Allah, whom He chooses (for His Mercy i.e. true believers of Islamic Monotheism who do not attribute false things unto Allah).
So surely you and what you worship,
So, verily you (pagans) and those whom you worship (idols)
Not against Him can you cause (any) to fall into trial,
Cannot lead astray [turn away from Him (Allah) anyone of the believers],
Save him who will go to hell.
Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!
And there is none of us but has an assigned place,
And there is not one of us (angels) but has his known place (or position);
And most surely we are they who draw themselves out in ranks,
And verily, we (angels), we stand in rows (for the prayers as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);
And we are most surely they who declare the glory (of Allah).
And verily, we (angels), indeed are those who glorify (Allah's Praises i.e. perform prayers).
And surely they used to say:
And indeed they (Arab pagans) used to say:
Had we a reminder from those of yore,
"If we had a reminder as had the men of old (before the coming of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as a Messenger of Allah),
We would certainly have been the servants of Allah - - the purified ones.
"We would have indeed been the chosen slaves of Allah (true believers of Islamic Monotheism)!"
But (now) they disbelieve in it, so they will come to know.
But (now that the Qur'an has come) they disbelieve therein (i.e. in the Qur'an and in Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , and all that he brought, - the Divine Revelation), so they will come to know!
And certainly Our word has already gone forth in respect of Our servants, the apostles:
And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,
Most surely they shall be the assisted ones
That they verily would be made triumphant,
And most surely Our host alone shall be the victorious ones.
And that Our hosts! they verily would be the victors.
Therefore turn away from them till a time,
So turn away (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from them for a while,
And (then) see them, so they too shall see.
And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!
What! would they then hasten on Our chastisement?
Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?
But when it shall descend in their court, evil shall then be the morning of the warned ones.
Then, when it descends in their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!
And turn away from them till a time
So turn (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) away from them for a while,
And (then) see, for they too shall see.
And watch and they shall see (the torment)!
Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honor, above what they describe.
Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!
And peace be on the apostles.
And peace be on the Messengers!
And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).